For Health Plan Sponsors and patients who want to take better care of the Cost and Quality of healthcare.
"One of the most important lessons I've learned is to keep the content straightforward and not overly complex."
Today Louis C. Bernardi, the creator of Benefits with Friends - The Rise of the American Healthcare Consumer shares his story of Education podcast.
► Tell us about you and your podcast
My background is deeply rooted in helping businesses, particularly CFOs and HR Directors, build high-performance health plans that not only reduce costs by 20-30%, but also improve employee engagement and benefit decisions. As the founder of BritePath and a Certified Health Value Advisor, I focus on creating sustainable, high-value healthcare solutions for businesses. I've been fortunate to work with a range of professionals through my roles in the Health Rosetta community, Forbes Business Council, and SHRM, all of which have expanded my network and insights into industry best practices.
Given my passion for transforming healthcare and benefits, I launched my podcast to further explore these critical topics. The podcast serves as a platform where I discuss strategies and innovations in the healthcare space, with a focus on how businesses can drive value through smarter benefit designs. I also bring in thought leaders and experts to share their perspectives on emerging trends.
My listeners tend to be professionals in the HR, finance, and benefits space—primarily CFOs, HR Directors, benefits consultants, and business leaders—who are seeking practical, high-impact solutions for managing healthcare costs without sacrificing employee satisfaction. They tune in to gain actionable insights that can help them navigate the complex world of employee benefits while staying ahead in a competitive business environment.
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I started my podcast because I saw a gap in the conversation around healthcare and benefits strategy, particularly from the perspective of business leaders who are on the front lines of managing costs while trying to provide meaningful benefits for their employees. The healthcare system can be complicated and overwhelming, and many businesses struggle to navigate it effectively.
My goal was to create a platform where I could share insights, solutions, and real-world examples of how organizations can take control of their healthcare plans and make better decisions for both their bottom line and their people. I also wanted to bring in expert voices from the industry, as well as leaders who have successfully implemented high-performance health plans, so listeners could learn from a variety of perspectives.
The motivation behind the podcast is ultimately to empower CFOs, HR Directors, and business leaders with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions and push back against rising healthcare costs. By offering actionable strategies and highlighting innovations, I want to help businesses create sustainable, cost-effective health plans that truly work for their employees and their business goals. It’s about making complex topics more accessible and providing a roadmap for others to follow.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
In terms of production, I release an episode about once a month, which takes about three hours to produce and launch. With the help of Podetize.com, I’m able to repurpose the content on my website and maximize its reach. I fund the podcast myself, and I’ve made it cost-effective, with basic episodes costing as little as $29 and more polished ones ranging between $100 and $200.
The motivation behind it all is to offer a resource that empowers business leaders to take control of their healthcare plans and improve the value they deliver to employees—without the usual overwhelming complexity.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I started my podcast as a way to position myself as a thought leader in the healthcare and benefits space, while also building an engaged audience. The healthcare system is notoriously complex, and insurance can feel overwhelming for many consumers, especially business leaders responsible for making big decisions around employee benefits. I wanted to break down those barriers and provide a platform where listeners could lower their guard, absorb key insights, and ultimately become more informed consumers of health insurance.
Through the podcast, I’m able to demystify the complicated aspects of healthcare and empower my listeners—whether they’re CFOs, HR Directors, or other business leaders—to explore solutions they may not have known existed. My goal is to show them that it’s possible to reduce costs and improve employee benefits at the same time. By offering practical strategies and shedding light on new innovations, I help my listeners take a fresh approach to healthcare and insurance, opening the door to better outcomes for their organizations.
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► How does your podcasting process look like?
My podcast process is designed to be both efficient and cost-effective. I rely on a combination of affordable applications and technology, which allows me to focus more on the content and less on production costs. I use tools like LinkedIn Live, Streamyard, Podetize, and Zoom to manage the entire process from recording to repurposing the content for my website. These platforms are user-friendly, and they give me the flexibility I need without requiring any expensive equipment—I just use my monitor and an external speaker to get the job done.
When it comes to finding guests, I tap into a community of like-minded individuals and solution partners who share a common goal: fixing the broken healthcare and insurance systems. Together, we explore how to eliminate the misaligned incentives and artificially inflated prices that plague the industry. This collaborative approach ensures that the content remains relevant and impactful for listeners, while keeping the production process streamlined and affordable.
► How do you market your show?
I employ a multi-faceted marketing approach to promote my podcast. I leverage both my personal and corporate LinkedIn accounts to reach a wider audience, sharing episodes and engaging with my network to spark interest. LinkedIn is a powerful platform for connecting with professionals in the HR and finance sectors, and it allows me to build relationships with potential listeners and guests.
In addition to LinkedIn, I utilize email campaigns to keep my existing audience informed about new episodes and upcoming topics. This direct communication helps me maintain engagement and encourages feedback, which is invaluable for improving the show. I also participate in various network groups, where I can share insights and promote episodes that are particularly relevant to the discussions happening within those communities. By combining these strategies, I aim to create a robust presence for my podcast and attract listeners who are genuinely interested in high-performance health plans and innovative healthcare solutions.
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
One of the most important lessons I've learned is to keep the content straightforward and not overly complex. The healthcare and insurance topics I cover can be quite intricate, so I focus on distilling the information into digestible pieces that are easy for my audience to grasp.
I've also learned to avoid overwhelming my listeners with too much information at once. When I "vomit" information, it can lead to confusion rather than clarity. Instead, I strive to present clear, actionable insights that listeners can apply in their own contexts. This approach not only enhances understanding but also encourages engagement, as people are more likely to connect with and remember the key points when they're presented in a simple and organized manner.
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
https://britepathbenefits.com/podcast/
https://britepathbenefits.com/category/insights/
www.linkedin.com/in/lougpi2
https://www.linkedin.com/company/britepath/
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